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Course Description

This course will enable you to learn more simple structures of Japanese in order to improve your communication in everyday situations. You will also get further insight into various aspects of Japanese life and culture. Though the emphasis is on speaking you will also learn more simple grammatical structures and sentence pattern. The course will enhance reading and writing skills with Hiragana and Katakana, the Japanese script. Very basic Kanji, Chinese characters will be introduced.

The following topics will be covered:

Invitation

Planning an outing

Talking about one day activity in sequence

Asking for / giving directions

Making requests

Asking / giving / refusing permission

The course will also cover the main grammatical points you need at this level that will include the following:

Verb stem+ masho / masho ka / masen ka

Verb te-form

Verb nai-form.

Who is this course for?

This course is for students who have a basic knowledge of Japanese such as having completed Beginners I & II courses (about 48 contact hours) or other qualifications deemed equivalent.

Students are expected to understand basic Japanese verbs (masu-form) & adjectives. Also students can read and write Hiragana and Katakana, with or without supporting materials.

Learning and Teaching

The emphasis of the course is on participation and students are encouraged to actively participate in class through various non-threatening forms of activities designed to stimulate communication.

Coursework and Assessment

To award credits we need to have evidence of the knowledge and skills you have gained or improved. Some of this has to be in a form that can be shown to external examiners so that we can be absolutely sure that standards are met across all courses and subjects.

You will not have formal examinations but you may have reading and listening class tests. You may be asked to write short texts as homework. Our assessments are flexible to suit the course and the student.

The most important element of assessment is that it should enhance your learning. Our methods are designed to increase your confidence and we try very hard to devise ways of assessing you that are enjoyable and suitable for adults with busy lives.

Reading Suggestions

Library and Computing Facilities

As a student on this course you are entitled to join and use the University library and computing facilities. You can find out more about these facilities on our website cardiff.ac.uk/learn under Student Information, or by ringing the Centre on (029) 2087 0000.

Accessibility of Courses

Our aim is access for all. We aim to provide a confidential advice and support service for any student with a long term medical condition, disability or specific learning difficulty. We are able to offer one-to-one advice about disability, pre-enrolment visits, liaison with tutors and co-ordinating lecturers, material in alternative formats, arrangements for accessible courses, assessment arrangements, loan equipment and Dyslexia screening. Please contact the Centre on (029) 2087 0000 for an information leaflet.

Further Information

A range of further information can be found on our web site cardiff.ac.uk/learn or in Choices. This includes the times and dates of courses and an explanation of accreditation and credit levels.